Thank you for these recommendations! I sub'd to a few of them, though a few others seemed a bit outside the things I'd normally be 'into'.

I'm almost pretty sure the algorithm is looking at video/audio quality among other things. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a speech clarity algorithm running on videos as well.

Like one of the big turnoffs for me personally is the lack of a good mic setup. But even with a phone they make bluetooth lavalier mics that aren't that bad cheaply these days.

Is there a reason not to promote people who produced content but stopped.

Not much, just that someone who is active is more likely to benefit from promotion and appreciate it, versus someone who, more likely, has gone on to other things.

[delayed]